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GCG1700L0II General Electric Trash Compactor - Instructions

All installation instructions for GCG1700L0II parts

These instructions have been submitted by other PartSelect customers and can help guide you through the trash compactor repair with useful information like difficulty of repair, length of repair, tools needed, and more.

First I removed the trash compactor from the cabinet and transported it to the garage to avoid scraping the kitchen floor....I then removed the the sheetmetal cover enclosing the motor by removing several sheetmetal screws. To remove the motor, I then removed the compactor drawer and tilted the compactor onto its front (the side you pull the drawer in and out of). This allow you to get to the bottom of the compactor. I then removed 3 sheet metal screws attaching the bottom cover of the compactor. After removing the bottom cover, I could then access the 4 mounting nuts that hold the motor in place. I disconnected the wiring harness to the motor, removed the motor and replaced it. The motor plate allows you to adjust the chain tensioning and gear lash of the drive motor. I adjusted and tightened the plate to provide close gear lash, and chain tension of about 1/2" play. Re-installed the motor cover and bottom plates, plugged the compactor into a wall socket, re-installed the compactor drawer and tested for several cycles. All is well. FYI - I do not think the motor itself was bad; however, there is a centrifugal switch built into the motor assembly...that is what I believe failed. The motor and centrifugal switch come as a one assembly.

Foot release was not working properly making it difficult to open

I noticed that one of the holes that the foot pedal was attached to on the drawer assembly, had opened up so that the pivot pin wouldn't stay seated in it. I ordered a complete drawer assembly which included the metal trash container, drawer slides, and foot pedal assembly. The old front of the cabinet is removed by unscrewing about 8 screws. The front then slides up and off of the old assembly. The front panel is then slid over the new drawer assembly and the screws are tightened down.

The wire harness from the part supplier was set up wrong, two of the three wires were switched and it damm near burned up the new motor. I had to correct the error by switching the wires around so that they matched the wireing from the original motor.

Motor needed replaces. Not working

The repairman wanted $600 to replace the motor. A replacement compactor was $800. The motor was $220 and I did it alone in 30 minutes! Easy to do.

Removed the trash container. Pulled out the compactor. Laid it on its side. Removed four srews from the bottom panel, two from the back. 4 Bolts held the motor on. Removed those, took out the motor. DId not replace or move the chain drive or large gear. Replaced the motor and it works perfectly.

trash compactor justs hums when u lift the pedal

after contacting GE about 3yr old product for 94.00 a service man will tell you thst it needs a new motor another couple of days and parts and labor (cheaper to buy a new one) ordered motor myself and took out 6 sheet metel screws remove the bottom panel and plastic fly wheel and liftrd out motor and replace and put new flywheel on and attched wires and was good to go all for $214.00 thanks again

Motor stopped working

My appliance repair guy came out, declared the motor "dead" and gave me an estimate of $600 to replace the three-year-old motor. Having purchased many parts from PartSelect.com for older appliances at our cabin, I found I could buy a new motor here for $200. IT didn't take long to pull the compactor from the cabinets, remove the shrouding around the motor, remove the old motor and gear; and replace with new parts. The most difficult task was pulling the old plastic gear from the metal spindle; finally drove it out with a small socket and hammer. The new motor dropped into place. After reassembling the covers and putting the compactor back in place, it works great.

Humming noise when first started.

Like others said, I think the old motor itself was good but I will never know. I could get it to work by working the chain to move the gear. The good news is the new motor made everything work. It is a little quieter. I kept the old gear instead of using the replacement that came with it. Two nuts are hard to get to because the gear and chain is in the way. I had to pull on the gear away from the motor to gain access. I expected my 3 year old GE compactor to last longer than it did. I don't recommend buying another one. The new motor has been working good for 1 week now. I can't believe how fast the delivery was. Only 2 days. 237 dollars.

Motor kept running @ end of cycle. Had to open door and power off after each cycle

Unplugged unit. Took basket out, slide unit out, remove top and front panel. Remove power switch to get to the two directional switches. Disconnected the one on right be cause the arm was loose and not operating. Removed it and replaced it with new switch. Part #WC21X10004. Put it all back together and it works right.

After removing the trash bin assembly, I removed the two screws securing the main compactor body to the cabinet, and then rolled it out and disconnected the power cord. I laid it on the floor on it's face on a piece of carpet so as not to damage the flooring. I removed the three screws that secure the motor axcess cover, and then the screws on each side of the motor box to remove it. I next removed the screws securing the chain drive cover on the bottom and removed it. I unplugged the two electrical connectors for the motor, and then removed the "C" clip that secures the drive gear on to the motor, then slid the gear off the shaft. After removing the four nuts securing the motor to the base plate, I removed the old motor and installed the new one, leaving the nuts loose. The instructions tell you to be sure to use the new gear that came with the replacement motor as the new motor has more torque. I slid the new gear onto the motor shaft and re installed the clip. I used a piece of paper between the gears to set the proper spacing as per the instructions, and then tightened the mounting nuts. The old motor has one three connector plug and a single black wire that connects directly to the centrifugal switch with a female spade connector, while the new motor has two plugs, one for the three wire connector and one for the black wire. The male spade on the new plug was bigger then the one that I removed the black wire from on the old switch connection, so I had to remove the female connector and replace it with one that would fit. After re installing the chain cover and motor box, I stood the compactor back up, put the trash bin back in and cycled it one time to make sure it was working properly, then put the motor cover back on and re installed it back in the cabinet. As several other posters noted, the problem was the centrifugal switch, not the motor. The new motor is not only more powerful but also has a re designed switch that looks more robust and should last a lot longer.